Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) condemned the arrest of Saleh Moslem and urged the international community to show a reaction to the unlawful practices of the Turkish state.

TEV-DEM released a statement after the Diplomatic Relations Committee of the organization Saleh Moslem was arrested in Prague after Turkey issued an international arrest warrant via Interpol.

The organization said that after its failure in Afrin, Turkey started to issue arrest warrants against national figures of people in Northern Syria.

Recalling Moslem’s arrest by Czech police TEV-DEM said, “This act is contrary to the general values and international laws. The Turkish State has no right to prosecute or arrest any person who is not one of its citizens. Mr. Saleh Moslem is a Syrian citizen and has a revolutionary history in the struggle and resistance to serve all peoples.”.

TEV-DEM condemned the illegal practice and appealed all civil and law organizations, personalities, countries and the United Nations organizations to express their position on this incident.

“We also appeal to all our people at home and abroad to carry out their duties in protesting and denouncing this incident” the statement read.

February 2018

Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) condemned the arrest of Saleh Moslem and urged the international community to show a reaction to the unlawful practices of the Turkish state.

TEV-DEM released a statement after the Diplomatic Relations Committee of the organization Saleh Moslem was arrested in Prague after Turkey issued an international arrest warrant via Interpol.

The organization said that after its failure in Afrin, Turkey started to issue arrest warrants against national figures of people in Northern Syria.

Recalling Moslem’s arrest by Czech police TEV-DEM said, “This act is contrary to the general values and international laws. The Turkish State has no right to prosecute or arrest any person who is not one of its citizens. Mr. Saleh Moslem is a Syrian citizen and has a revolutionary history in the struggle and resistance to serve all peoples.”.

TEV-DEM condemned the illegal practice and appealed all civil and law organizations, personalities, countries and the United Nations organizations to express their position on this incident.

“We also appeal to all our people at home and abroad to carry out their duties in protesting and denouncing this incident” the statement read.

The Turkish state’s invasion attacks against Afrin continue for the 37th day.

The Turkish army and allied jihadist gangs continue their attacks in an attempt to invade Afrin Canton of Northern Syria since January 20. According to reports from the ground, Turkish army and allied gangs are conducting artillery attacks against Jindires district and its villages.

On the other hand, fierce clashes are taking place between SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) and the invading forces in Meydan Ekbes village of Rajo district.

In the meantime, Turkish warplanes are bombing the surroundings of Naza hamlet in Meydanke sub-district of Shera district.

In a protest demonstration against the Turkish state’s attacks on Afrin, people of Tirbespiyê stated that the Turkish state is killing children of Afrin with NATO’s weapons.

Hundreds staged a march in Til Maruf town of Tirbespiyê in protest at the deadly attacks of the Turkish state against civilians in Afrin Canton of Northern Syria.

Holding images of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and flags of Kurdish military and political organisations in Rojava, demonstrators strongly responded to the attacks, stating that the Turkish state is killing children of Afrin with NATO’s weapons.

Speaking here on behalf of Arab citizens, Muhened Hebîb stressed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is targeting civilians due to Turkish forces’ failure to advance in the face of resistance in the battlefield.

Speaking after, Tirbespiyê District Assembly administrator Xaliye Eyûb pointed out that the unity of peoples frustrates the attacks that target the folks of entire Northern Syria.

Kongreya Star executive Dilavîn Hisên called on all women to resist against attacks.

Rumours circulated that Mr Muslim was being held at the insistence of Turkey.

The Syrian Kurd was added to the country’s “most wanted list by the Turkish Interior Ministry earlier this month.

Mr Muslim had been placed on an Interpol “red list” by Turkey who also offered a $1 million bounty for his arrest.

Czech police confirmed they detained a 67-year-old foreigner who was wanted in Turkey, however, did not name the person in question.

The TEV-DEM coalition confirmed the detention of Mr Muslim and said it condemned “this illegal act.” In a statement, TEV-DEM said the detention of Mr Muslim was “contrary to all international values and laws. “The Turkish state does not have the right to prosecute or arrest any person who is not their citizen. Mr Salih Muslim is a Syrian citizen.”

It is reported that Turkey is preparing papers seeking the extradition of Mr Muslim and it is expected that a Czech court will rule on whether to agree to the request or release him.

Mr Muslim was a founder member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and stood down as its co-chair in 2017. He has since been appointed Foreign Relations spokesman for TEV-DEM, holding meetings with European parliamentarians regarding Operation Olive Branch, Turkey’s deadly assault on Afrin which has killed more than 200 civilians and maimed and injured many more.

He was in Prague for a conference when it is alleged that Turkish security services circulated photographs of Mr Muslim and demanded his arrest.

Turkey lists the PYD as a terrorist organisation linked to the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants European countries and the US to ban the PYD and drop support for the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria. In November 2016 Turkey issued an arrest warrant for Mr Muslim, however despite appeals, Interpol refused to issue a European warrant.

At the time Mr Muslim was meeting FCO officials in Britain and addressed MPs and others in the Houses of Parliament. He has good relations with a number of European leaders and the PYD has an office in Brussels. The November 2016 arrest warrant claimed that Mr Muslim was wanted in connection with the bombing of a military convoy in Ankara which killed 28 people however the PYD had condemned the attack which the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed responsibility for.

His detention comes at a time when Turkey’s war on Afrin is intensifying. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been accused of wanting to “ethnically cleanse” the area of Syria known as Rojava by Kurds. Turkey denied recent allegations that it had used chemical weapons in Afrin. Turkey’s offensive has drawn widespread condemnation.

Mr Muslim slammed Mr Erdogan and tweeted a photograph he claimed were children killed by Turkish bombs with the caption “Turkey president – child killer.” TEV-DEM called for the United Nations to condemn the arrest and for international protests.